Taxi drivers disperse
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Taxi drivers protesting the planned hike in the NGV price dispersed from the roads around the Government House and the Royal Plaza on Monday afternoon around 12.30pm.
They agreed to disperse after their representatives informed them of the result of a meeting with the government's representatives.
However, many of them drove straight to join the truck drivers’ protest on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road.
Supalatorn Yothi, a taxi representative who was present at the negotiations, said agreement had been reached up to a point.
As part of the agreement, taxi fares would be increased if the NGV price went up. However, taxi drivers would like the government to freeze the price for a longer period.
Earlier in the day, some 500 taxi drivers parked their vehicles around the Government House and at the Royal Plaza to protest against the hike in the NGV price.
They started parking their taxis on roads around the Government House and at the Royal Plaza at 8am.
The drivers did not block the road but occupied only the two left lanes.
Some taxi drivers also carried a banner, saying “cremation of NGV”.
The taxis were parked on Phitsanulok Road and spilled over to Rajdamoen Nok Road to Makkawan Rangsan Bridge.
Their leaders also organised a makeshift rally stage in front of the Government House and took turns to criticise the administration for raising the NGV price.
They accused the government of using an opportunity when farmers and the poor were suffering from flooding to raise the NGV price.
They said the price hike severely affected their income and they were disappointed in the administration.
“We are sorry to have voted for the Pheu Thai. The increase is like betraying our votes for you, Pheu Thai,” a leader said.
Earlier, the Cabinet allowed the NGV price to rise by 50 satang per month, which will in effect increase the price from Bt8.50 per kilo currently to Bt14.50 by the end of the year.
